Carpet-tacking strip



Jan. 31, 1956 w H, FARR 2,732,579

CARPET-TACKING STRIP Filed Jan. 2, 1955 "lll/lill" INVENTOR. Mr/"6% F12/"ff E. M9 yf United States Patent O worth Manufacturing Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application January 2,- 1953, Serial No. 329,190 s claims. (ci. 16`16) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in carpet nailing strips. Y

Wall-to-wall carpet conventionally is stretched tautly and then tacked to the floor at spaced points along its edges. A molding nailed to the baseboard covers the crack between the carpet and the wall and the tacks which hold the carpet to the floor.

This procedure has the disadvantage that` the carpet sometimes tends to pull away from the wall between the tacks, and the scallops thus formed sometimes are visible in front of the moldings. On the other hand, if the carpet is tacked suicientlyfoften to prevent the contingency referred to above, the job oflaying the carpet is unduly protracted, resulting in excessive expenditure of time, labor, and money.

Recently, there has come into prominence a wooden nailing strip of the type shown in` United States Patent No. 2,238,946. This strip is tacked to the floor and is provided with upstanding barbs which impale the carpet. It has some advantages over the procedure rst discussed but is subject to the disadvantage that the wooden strips frequently are difficult to cut. Also, the rigid wooden strips cannot be readily adapted to a cur-ved wall or for fastening the carpetfto the floor around a post or the like. Further, the rigid unyielding nature of the wooden strips make them diicult to package and merchandise.

An important object ofthe present invention is to provide a nailing strip that can be readily fabricated fromY sheet metal inexpensively by automatic forming and stamping machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nailing strip of the above-mentioned character that is uniquely formed so that the strip can be wound on aY spool or otherwise rolled for shipment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a nailing strip of the above-mentioned character that is uniquely constructed so that it can be readily cut into sections of suitable length.

Yet another object of the inventionY is to provide a nailing strip of the above-mentioned character that can be readily adapted to a curved or irregularly shaped wall.

A still further object ofthe invention isv to provide a nailing strip of the above-n-ientionedl character having carpet-impaling prongs that are uniquely fashioned to retain the carpet securely. y

Other objects and `advantages of the inventionwill be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing forming a part of the specificationV and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is atransverse sectional view showing a nailing strip embodying the invention operatively disposed to retain a carpet;

Fig. 2 is aside elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of a nailing stripV embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarge'd,.fragmentary, top planview of the strip lookingw into the direction of the :arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2;

2,732,579 Patented Jan. 31, 1956 ICC Fig. 4 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken on vthe line 4- 4 of Fig. 2; and n Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the nailing strip. y p

The nailing strip of this invention can be made from relatively thin sheet metal stock. Long thin strips of the metal are fashioned by suitable forming operations to the cross-sectional shape shown in the drawing. Specifically, the strip is formedV with a medial portion 10 of inverted U shape and outwardly extending side supporting flanges 12 and 14. v v

The U-shaped medial portion 10 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, upstanding, carpetimpaling prongs 16. The latter preferably are uniformly spaced along the length of the strip and they preferably are staggered as perhaps best shown in Fig. 5. All of the prongs 16 extend upwardly from the top of the vU- shaped portion 10, but alternate prongs are disposed adjacent opposite sides thereof.

Each prong 16 is formed from a generally triangular piece which is struck and bent upwardly from the material of the strip. The upwardly extending darts thus provided are rolled into a generally circular conformation, as shown in Fig. 4, and the side edges thereof are disposed in abutting relation as at 18 so that there are no sharp edges on the prongs which will cut or otherwise Damage the-t`fabric of the rug impaled by the prongs. Prongs 16 canl be made in this manner which are sufciently sharp to penetrate readily into the fabric of the carpet. p y

It should be observed that when the prongs are struck from the material they are inclined toward one side of the strip as perhaps best shown in Fig. 1. InV practice the prongs are 4inclined toward the side which is intended to be placed adjacent the wall so that they lean away from the direction of pull exerted by the carpet. The transversely curved conformation of the prongs makes them adequately strong to withstand all normal pressures to which they are subjected in use. In this connection it should be lborne in mind that the prongs are relatively close together so that each prong is not required to sustain an excessive load. A l

In order'A to enhance the holding effect of the prongs 16 the pointed terminal portions thereof are bent abruptly horizontally, as shown in Fig. l. The generally horizontal terminal portions do not interfere to any appreciable or signicant extentwith the ability of the-prong to penetrate the fabric of the carpet, but after the carpet has been pushed down over the prongs the pull exerted by the carpet away from the wall causes the horizontal terminal portions of the prongs to overlie threads in the carpet so as to hold the latter down on the strip; By reason of the staggered arrangement of the prongs'they engage the carpet different distances from the edgethereof and thus distribute the load exerted on the fabric material.

Itis a further feature of the invention that thest'rip is provided at spaced points along the length thereof with transverse slots 20. These slots extend entirely across'the U-shaped portion 10 and substantially entirely across the flanges Hand 14. However, the slots 2i) terminate'short of the edges of the strip to define connecting portionsV 22 and 24. These connecting portionshold the stripintact, but they are sufficiently flexible to permit the strip to be easily rolled for shipment. Preferably the strip is rolled with the prongs outermost so that the sections of the U-shaped portion 10 betweenV the slots 20 are in divergingrelation with respect to each other. In this manner the stripvcan be rolled into a circle of relatively small radius withoutY interference by any of the parts or appendagesV thereof. f n

Another advantage of providing the slots 20as hereincarpeted, and they preferably are spaced about above described is that the connecting portions 22 and 24 are readily severable. Thus, one or the other of the connecting portions 22 and 24 can be cut if it i s necessary to conform the strip to a curved wall. In the particular embodiment of'the invention shown, slots are provided between each of the prongs 16. With the slots so close together, the strip can be readily adapted to substantially any curved wall surface conveniently encountered in practice. The relatively narrow connecting portions 22 and 24 can be readily cut by tin snips or the like to divide the strip into sections of any desired length. The slots 20 preferably are cut when the strip is formed. lf this is done, the slots do not in any way distort the shape of the metal, and the strip can be easily cut into suitable lengths without deforming or permanently bending any part of the strip.

n In use, nailing strips cut into suitable lengths are nailed or otherwise fastened to the floor 26, as shown in Fig. l. These strips, disposed end to end, preferably extend along the entire circumference of the room or other area being one quarter of an inch or so from the baseboard 28. This provides ample space between the baseboard and the adjacent side of the U-shaped portion l to accommodate the head of a hammer and in which to drive the fastening nails or tacks 3d. It will be observed that the ilange 14 of the strip is positioned adjacent the baseboard 28 so that the prongs 16 are inclined toward the baseboard and that this flange is provided with holes 32 each disposed in transverse alignment with a respective one'of the prongs 16. When the strip is fastened to the floor 26 the nails are inserted in the holes 32 and driven into the floor as shown in Fig. l. it is necessary to provide nails only at the side of the strip adjacent the baseboard 28 inasmuch as the pull from the carpet is exclusively away from the baseboard. It is contemplated in this connection that the nailing strip be formed with holes 32 for reception of tacks 30 which are supplied and used separately on the job or that the tacks 30 be inserted by the manufacturer and supplied as a part of the strip. The latter construction is preferred, as it materially reduces the time required to fasten the strip to the i'loor. When the tacks are incorporated with the strip in the manner described it is merely necessary for the workmen to position the strip at the desired location on the iloor and then drive the tacks into the oor, thus eliminating the necessity of the workmen carrying a supply of tacks and thereby expediting their work. The tacks 30 can be fastened securely to the strip in any suitable or conventional manner as by welding or brazing. Alternatively, the tacks 30 can be replaced by any suitable mechanically equivalent devices such as barbs cut and struck and bent downwardly from the iange 14. In this latter construction the fastening tacks or barbs are integral with the strip. If desired, the barbs may be left flat or they may be rounded in the same manner as the upstanding prongs 16.

After the nailing strips have been properly placed, the pad 32 conventionally placed under carpenting is laid, and this pad preferably extends to and butts against the shoulder 34 defined by the outer side of the U-shaped portion (Fig. l). In this connection it will be observed that the height of the U-shaped portion corresponds to the thickness of a conventional pad 32 so that the latter extends flush with the top surfaces of the nailing strips.

The carpet 36 is then laid over the pad 32. The carpet is stretched in any suitable or conventional manner, and the marginal edge thereof is impaled on the prong 16 of the nailing strips as shown in the drawing. The carpet is easily impaled on the prongs merely by pushing it down against the nailing strips; and when the carpet is released, tension created in the carpet by stretching tends to pull the carpet away from the wall, and this action inherent in the carpet itself pulls the fabric of the carpet securely under the horizontal terminal portions of the prongs 16.

The carpet is initially cut to extend beyond the nailing strip, and after the carpet is laid, excess carpeting is trimmed away. For this purpose, the edge 38 of the strip provides a straight edge for guiding the carpet-trimming tool. This function is unique in the case of a metal strip of the type here shown. It cannot be achieved by a wooden nailing strip of the conventional type hereinabove referred to, as the cutting tool tends to penetrate and embed itself in the material of the strip and is not properly guided by the wood for the trimming operation.

After the carpet has been properly placed, the usual molding 49 is fastened to the baseboard by nails 42 in the conventional manner. If the nailing strip is properly spaced with respect to the baseboard 28 the molding 40 extends substantially to or overlies the prongs 16. ln either event the molding 40 co-operates with the prongs 16 in an obvious manner to hold the carpet securely impaled. The usual practice, however, is to position the nailing strip so that the molding 40 terminates just short of the U-shaped portion 10. With this in mind the row of prongs adjacent the wall board preferably are formed to extend laterally beyond the adjacent side of the U-shaped portion 1t) and in the direction of the baseboard so that these prongs are better able to co-operate with the molding in holding the carpet securely fastened.

Having thus described the invention, l claim:

l. A carpet-nailing strip of sheet metal having a medial portion of inverted U shape provided at opposite sides thereof with outwardly extending supporting flanges, the U-shaped portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, upstanding carpet-impaling prongs, each prong being formed from a generally triangular piece struck from the strip and said piece being rolled into a generally circular conformation with the side edges thereof disposed in abutting relation so as not to cut the carpet fabric impaled by the prong, said prongs being inclined transversely of the strip and having the terminal portions thereof bent abruptly horizontally to overlie fabric in the carpet and to hold the latter down on the strip, at least some of said prongs extending laterally beyond the side of said U-shaped portion toward which they are inclined so as to cooperate with molding with which the strip conventionally is used to hold the carpet impaled on the prongs, said strip being slotted transversely at spaced points therealong and said slots extending entirely across said U-shaped portion and partially across said flanges so as to permit said strip to be rolled for shipment and to facilitate cutting of the strip into sections of desired length.

2. A carpet-nailing strip of sheet metal having a medial portion of inverted U shape and the latter provided at opposite sides thereof with outwardly extending supporting flanges, said U-shaped portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced carpet-impaling prongs, each prong being formed from a generally triangular piece struck from the strip and said piece being rolled into a generally circular conformation with the side edges thereof l disposed in abutting relation so as not to cut the carpet fabric impaled by the prong, each prong being inclined transversely of the strip and having the terminal portion thereof bent abruptly horizontally to overlie fabric in the carpet and to hold the latter down on the strip, said strip being slotted transversely at spaced points therealong and said slots extending entirely across said U-shaped portion and partially across said anges so as to permit said strip to be rolled for shipment and to facilitate cutting of the strip into sections of desired length.

3. A carpet-nailing strip of sheet metal having a medial portion of inverted U shape and side supporting flanges, said U-shaped portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced upstanding carpet impaling prongs, each prong being formed from a generally triangular piece struck from the strip and said piece being rolled into a generally circular conformation with the side edges disposed in abutting relation so as not to cut the carpet fabric impaled by the prong, at least some of said prongs extending laterally beyond the side of said U-shaped portion toward which they incline so as to cooperate with molding with which the strip conventionally is used to hold the carpet impaled on the prongs, said strip being slotted transversely at spaced points therealong and said slots extending entirely across said U-shaped portion so as to permit said strip to be rolled for shipment and to facilitate cutting said strip into sections of desired length.

4. A carpet-nailing strip of sheet metal having a medial portion of inverted U shape and the latter provided at opposite sides thereof with outwardly extending supporting anges, the U-shaped portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, upstanding carpetimpaling prongs, each prong being formed from a generally triangular piece struck from the strip and said piece being rolled into a generally circular conformation with the side edges thereof disposed in abutting relation so as not to cut the carpet fabric impaled by the prongs, said prongs being inclined transversely of the strip and having the terminal portions thereof bent abruptly horizontally to overlie fabric in the carpet and to hold the latter down on the strip, at least some of said prongs extending laterally beyond the side of said U-shaped portion toward which they are inclined so as to cooperate with molding with which the strip conventionally is used to hold the carpet impaled on the prongs.

5. A carpet-nailing strip of sheet metal having a medial portion of inverted U shape and outwardly extending supporting flanges at opposite sides thereof, said U-shaped portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced upstanding carpet-impaling prongs, each prong being inclined transversely of the strip and having the terminal portion thereof` bent abruptly horizontally to overlie fabric in the carpet and hold the latter down on the strip, at least some of said prongs extending laterally beyond the side of the U-shaped portion toward which they incline so as to cooperate with molding with which the strip conventionally is used to hold the carpet impaled on the prongs, said strip being slotted transversely at spaced points therealong and said slots extending entirely across said U-shaped portion and partially across said anges so as to permit said strip to be rolled for shipment and to facilitate cutting of the strip into sections of desired length.

6. A11 elongated carpet nailing strip of sheet metal having a plurality of longitudinally spaced upstanding carpetimpaling prongs, each prong being formed from a generally triangular piece struck from the strip and said piece being rolled into a generally circular conformation with the side edges thereof disposed in abutting relation so as not to cut the carpet fabric impaled by the prong, each prong being inclined transversely of the strip and having the terminal portion thereof bent abruptly horizontally to overlie fabric in the carpet and to hold the latter down on the strip, said strip being slotted transversely at spaced points therealong and said slots extending substantially entirely across said strip but terminating short of the edges thereof and defining relatively narrow connecting portions at the ends of the slots which are readily flexible so as to permit the strip to be rolled for shipment and which are easily severable to facilitate cutting of the strip into sections of desired length.

7. A carpet-nailing strip of sheet metal having a medial portion of inverted U shape and outwardly extending supporting flanges at opposite sides thereof, said U-shaped portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced upstanding carpet-impaling prongs, each prong being formed from a generally triangular piece struck from the strip and said piece being rolled into a generally circular conformation with the side edges thereof disposed in abutting relation so as not to cut the carpet fabric impaled by the prong, each of said prongs being inclined transversely of the strip and having the terminal portion thereof bent abruptly horizontally to overlie fabric in the carpet and to hold the latter down on the strip, certain of said prongs being relatively remote from the side of the strip toward which they are inclined and other of the prongs being disposed relatively close to said side, the supporting ange at the mentioned side of the strip provided with nail-receiving openings aligned transversely with said relatively close prongs, said strip being slotted transversely at spaced points therealong and said slots extending substantially entirely across the strip defining relatively narrow connecting portions which are inherently flexible to permit said strip to be rolled for shipment and are readily severable to facilitate cutting of the strip into sections of desired length.

8. A carpet-nailing strip of sheet metal having a medial portion of inverted U shape and outwardly extending supporting ilanges at opposite sides thereof, said U-shaped portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced upstanding carpet-impaling prongs, each prong being formed from a generally triangular piece struck from the strip and said piece being rolled into a generally circular conformation with the side edges thereof disposed in abutting relation so as not to cut the carpet fabric impaled by the prong, each of said prongs being inclined transversely of the strip and having the terminal portion thereof bent abruptly horizontally to overlie fabric in the carpet and to hold the latter down on the strip, certain of said prongs being relatively remote from the side of the strip toward which they are inclined and other of the prongs being disposed relatively close to said side, the supporting ange at the mentioned side of the strip provided with nail-receiving openings aligned transversely with said relatively close prongs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 569,525 Sullivan Oct. 13, 1896 1,739,943 Bolender Dec. 17, 1929 1,770,215 McIntyre July 8, 1930 2,599,580 Peterson et al I une 10, 1952 2,634,453 Brownstein Apr. 14, 1953 

